December 2018

The Magic Tree Movement

There is something magical about the combination of crisp December air and twinkling lights that makes the holiday season special for many Columbians. That magic is felt when darkness falls over the Village of Cherry Hill shopping center. Thousands of tiny colored lights, wrapped around every branch of a tree, illuminate the grassy block in […]

Behind the Beard

Stephen Johnson has been playing Santa Claus during the holiday season for 25 years, but the 65-year-old says he has looked the part since he was 40. The only difference between then and now is the amount of theatrical dye necessary for him to get into character. “The last time I was clean-shaven was Oct. […]

Cheers to the Holidays

The holidays are upon us, and entertaining is in full swing. Chances are you’re planning to serve wine at your event but might be wondering which wines to serve and how much to buy. A general rule of thumb is to offer a dry red, a dry white, an off-dry wine (can be red, white […]

Holiday Stress Busters

After a year of discussing ways to live a healthier version of yourself, we are finally approaching the happiest, busiest and, ironically, most stressful time of the year. Sure, for the kids (and possibly the kid in us all), this is the time for chestnuts, Santa, presents and sleigh bells. However, for the adult in […]

A Tale of Two Santas

Your children were perfect angels when they visited Santa. They get that from you. But not everybody’s Santa experience was perfect. Not mine. My bad Santa experience happened when I was a grown adult. My first job out of the Mizzou School of Journalism was selling advertising for the Rolla Daily News. As the rookie […]